Improved method of extinguishing fires



R. BJARMITAGE. METHOD OF EXTINGUISHING' FIRES.

No. 15,271. Pavttented'July 8, 1856.

UNITED STATES PATENT .OFEIGE.

IMPROVED METHOD OF EXTINGUISHING FIRES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 15,271, dated July 8, 1856.

. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT E. ARMITAGE, of the city of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Mode of Extinguishing Fires in Buildings; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawing, and to the letters of reference thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in providing a building with a main pipe for water extending from the ground, where it connects with a reservoir or other arrangement for supplying water, and passing up the corneror side of the building to its top. Branch pipes for each story pass transversely across the ceiling of each room. Eachbranch pipe is provided with arms and jets to distribute the water and a series of cords extending around and across the ceiling of the room. In the main ceiling-pipe a valve is placed, which is opened and closed by a lever with a weight attached. Every room in each story is to be provided with a similar arrangement of branch pipe, valve, arms, jets, and cords. In case of fire in a room furnished in this mannerthe cords, being combustible and exposed, are easily burned, When the heavy lever of the valve drops and the water is instantly jetted over the entire length and breadth of the room.

The accompanying drawing is a perspective view of two stories of a house with my improvement applied.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and mode of operation.

My improvement may be introduced into any building.

4 A main pipe for the supply of watercxtends from the ground to the top of the building, either up one corner-or up the side, as shown by A A A in the accompanying drawing. From this main pipe and at right angles to it, at a This lever rests on the cords.

point level with the ceiling of the room, the branch pipe B proceeds to a central part of the ceiling. From the terminus of the pipe B the arms 0 C C extend transversely across the ceiling of the room on its middle line. The arms 0 O O are terminated by a series of jets y y if 1 &c., y g 1 3 &c. In the branch pipe B a valve D is placed. This valve is regulated by a weighted lever E. The lever is supported by a continuous cord as m :0 00 m 00 as" running through staples or on pulleys around and across the ceiling. This cord is made of cotton or other. more combustible material and sufliciently strong to support the weighted lever E. In case of tire the cord is easily burned, and, being continuous, is slackened at all points, when the weighted lever E at once falls and opens the valve D. When the valve is open, the water flows through the branch pipe B into the transverse arms 0 O C andescapes through the jets y y 31 2f, &c., y" g g y", &c., saturating every part of the room.

The cord 00 0c 00 00, &c., may be connected with clock-work to be put in operation by the burning of the cord. In this manner a bell placed on the roof, in a bed-room, or in any other desired locality may be made to ring the alarm of fire and give notice to turn off the water.

I do not claim the cords and lever or the valve, they having been long in use for other purposes; but

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The arrangement of the main pipe with the branch pipe, the arms, and jets, which, in connection with the cords and lever combined, operate as a self-acting fire-extinguisher, substantially as herein described.

ROBERT B. ARMITAGE. Witnesses: S. WILLIAMSON, GEO. B. SIMLER. 

